James Morrow Hemminger Jr.

James Morrow Hemminger, Jr., 86, of Abbeville, husband of Mabel Freeland Hemminger, died Friday, August 7, 2009 at Self Regional Healthcare in Greenwood. He was born May 31, 1923 in McCormick County to the late James Morrow Hemminger and Margaret LeRoy Hemminger. Mr. Hemminger was a 1949 graduate of Clemson University. He served during the invasion of Italy in World War II and his work relation was in textiles. Mr. Hemminger moved to Abbeville in 1959 and was an active member of the Abbeville Presbyterian Church (PCUSA) having served on the Diaconate, Session and Council and Committees of the Presbytery of the Presbyterian Church (PCUSA). He had a unique benevolent compassion for the needs of others and most notably to the elderly of the church. Mr. Hemminger served as Commissioner of the Abbeville Housing Authority; was a member and Past President of the Abbeville Rotary Club and the Greater Abbeville Chamber of Commerce; a member of the Abbeville County Development Board; and a past member of Piedmont Technical College Board of Advisors. He received several awards during his life two of which were the 1991 Abbeville Chamber of Commerce Community Service Award and he was one of the first recipients of The Paul Harris Fellow award from the Abbeville Rotary Club in 1991. Mr. Hemminger is survived by his wife, Mabel, of the home; three daughters, Emilie Hemminger Simpson (Huck) of Greenville, Susanne Hemminger Greene (Jim) of Abbeville, and Jan Hemminger Saul (Bob) of Greenwood; a sister, Margaret Hemminger Brice of Due West; and grandchildren and great-grandchildren – Susan Simpson and Caroline of Greenville; Margaret Simpson Crooks (Brab) and Sam and Hannah of Greenwood; Emilie Greene Sommer (Jacob) and Maisie of Washington, DC; Benjamin Saul of Greenwood; and Bradley Saul of California. A Celebration of Life Service will be held 3:00PM Sunday, August 9, 2009 at the Abbeville Presbyterian Church with the Rev. Dr. Carol Strickland officiating. The family will receive friends following the service in the Telford Parlor. A private, family burial will be held at a later date in Long Cane Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, the family respectfully requests that memorials, in memory of Mr. Hemminger, be made to the Abbeville Presbyterian Church Foundation, PO Box 733, Abbeville, SC 29620. HARRIS FUNERAL HOME & CREMATION SERVICES is assisting the Hemminger family.